What could easily be considered one of the best albums to be released this year, it is sadly the last of a trilogy, according to the band. Amorphis has released their much anticipated album Skyforger, their ninth full-length recording. But, the question on the minds of the devoted fans is whether it will effectively end the supposed album trilogy surrounding the group’s more recent releases. To put it simply, it does on a high note of darkened beauty.

Skyforger is essentially a culmination of the band’s past two efforts, Eclipse and Silent Waters, but seems aimed moreso at a rock-oriented feel, while retaining the same bite the music has had over the past two releases. Each track on this release is breath taking, starting with “Sampo”, which may take a few listens before you can truly appreciate it’s beauty. The song also has a nice little classical music element near the end of the song that is very well orchestrated. And, of course, their single “Silver Bride” which is simply amazing and really sets the tone of the album, where “Sampo” is just a nice introductory track.

One thing you’ll notice right off the bat is that the band incorporates gutteral vocals into these tracks! Yes, you read right. While the band is nowhere near death metal, they do include some very deep gutteral vocals at certain points in some of the songs on this album, mostly during the heaviest moments of the song where it would be appropriate and fit in most, with the exception of “Majestic Beast” which is all gutteral save for the chorus. The rest of the album is what you would come to expect from the past two albums, as well as any recent Amorphis album. Another perk about this release is that each track on Skyforger holds it’s own, without a single one sounding exactly like the other. And, just as epic and beautiful as the album started, it reaches it’s epic climax with “From Earth I Rose” which is very fitting to end this “trilogy”.

The odd thing is that this version is the regular jewel case edition, however this pressing included the digipack bonus track “Godlike Machine”. Perhaps the US version of the release comes with it, as the track is listed on the back of the case as a bonus track. Regardless of the reason, “Godlike Machine” is an exquisite bonus track that really should have just been included in the original track list to begin with, and is easily one of the best cuts off the album, being a heavier, somewhat technical song that includes some excellent gutteral near the end.

So if you have half a brain cell after reading any of this: Go buy this CD now! This is easily one of the most amazing albums that will be released this year. It’s heavy, it’s melodic, and it’s beautiful. It also marks the return of something we haven’t heard in a long while on Amorphis albums: Gutteral vocals. Skyforger is an amazing CD, and even if you have to spend a little extra to get it, make sure you obtain the release with the bonus track “Godlike Machine” on it. You will not regret it.